Elisa Martínez Avila

Our dear mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Elisa Martínez Avila, peacefully passed away on March 17, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Elisa was born to José Martínez Gonzalez and Amada Razo Zavala on July 9, 1928, in Huanímaro, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Elisa was committed to providing a better life and opportunity for her family, and relocated to the United States in the early 1950s. She was a resident of Piru, Ventura County, California for over seventy years. In 1955, Elisa met Pablo E. Avila. They married later that year, and looked forward to a happy life together. Sadly, Elisa was widowed seven months later. She was a feisty, independent woman who purchased her own home with pride and determination in 1957.

Elisa was employed as a citrus grader, for Sunkist Growers for almost thirty years. She retired to care for her grandchildren. She achieved U.S. Citizenship in 1994.

Elisa lived a long, healthy, blessed life, tending to her beautiful garden and fruit trees and enjoying her birds and dogs. She was proud of her family, enjoyed celebrating their educational and life achievements, the births of each grand/great grandchild, attending parties and family gatherings.

Elisa was a devout member of San Salvador Mission Church, and faithfully attended mass weekly. She was a proud member of the church's Sacred Heart Society. Each year Elisa would start in October to build her elaborate and exquisite nacimiento to celebrate the birth of her Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. She proudly shared the nacimiento with her family, friends, and community every year.

Elisa will always be remembered as a wonderful cook and her kindness in feeding relatives and friends when they came to her home. It was always a delicious treat to savor and eat her hot tortillas de harina, frijoles de la olla, arroz, carne de puerco, jello cake, and buñuelos.

Elisa Avila is survived by sons Robert Razo Martínez (Catherine), Pablo Martínez Avila (Ana); Grandchildren Jared Luis Martínez, Paul Anthony Avila, Robert Xavier Martínez (Patricia), Dr. Jaclyn Young (Michael); Great Grandchildren Kennedy Noelle Young, Lily Elisa Martínez; Siblings Miguel Razo Martínez (Marjorie), Luz Razo Martínez (Catalina), Martha Elena Martínez; and many nieces and nephews. She now joins her parents and siblings Beatrice Razo Martínez, Ramon Razo Martínez and José Razo Martínez in heaven.

Elisa's sons and their families lovingly provided in-home care, support, and comfort for over five years. Her family would like to acknowledge and thank Livingston Memorial Hospice and their compassionate staff, including but not limited to Colleen, Angelica, Araceli, and Lupe, who supported them in her last few months. Elisa Martínez Avila was loved by many and will be missed very much. Her family is comforted knowing Mama Elisa is now reunited with her beloved husband, Pablo….un amor eterno. May they rest in peace and paradise always.